Blog - Gayle Martz

The Value of A Few Good Friends

Gayle Martz’s latest book, IT’S IN THE BAG, is the gift that keeps on giving. While it is can be categorized as an entrepreneurial how-to book, if you look a little closer, Martz’s book is packed full of truth and hard-earned wisdom for life. One topic Martz shines a light on is friendship, specifically the importance of having a “spiritual soulmate,” or at least one genuine, close friend with whom to share your hopes, fears, and dreams. Experts agree, there are real benefits to having a few good friends. Martz, author, entrepreneur, and pet-travel advocate, seems to intuitively know these wise truths and shares them in her latest book which is also available on audiobook. Here’s why less is more when it comes to friendship.

Less is More

An article for Inc.com outlines the research on friendship from the 1990s by Robin Dunbar, which is still widely accepted today. The research states that people are capable of knowing and maintaining a basic level of connection with 150 people. Beyond 150, social networks seem to break down. Of those 150 people, three to five are close friends or family. Three to five! Contrary to what social media leads us to believe, our ability for social connection is limited, and less really is more. It is important to identify those few good friends and invest your time and hearts with them, strengthening those relationships for a better quality of life much like Martz proposes in her book. Read more

Three Tips for a Better Road Trip

All your bags are packed. You’re ready to go. But chances are you’re not leaving on a jet plane. According to a Travel and Leisure, the overwhelming majority of people traveling for the Fourth of July weekend, which is over 47 million Americans, will be hitting the road in their car. While road trips can be fun and full of adventure, you don’t want to channel your inner eight-year-old self constantly asking, “Are we there yet?” Below are three tips to help make your upcoming road trip more fun and enjoyable.

Pet Priority

If you’re traveling with a pet, the car ride can be prolonged if your pet is an unhappy passenger, causing you to stop more times than usual. It is important for pets to be secured in a pet carrier, like the popular and highly recommended SHERPA Bag®, while in the car. Before your trip, leave the carrier out with your pet’s favorite toy or treat inside. Encourage your pet to go in and out of it so they feel more comfortable. This will help relieve the anxiety your pet will have when you travel and hopefully get you to your destination quicker! Read more

Can Your Office Be Pet-Friendly?

Photo by Minerva Studio; licensed iStock Getty Images

As office buildings are opening back up, not all employees are eager to return, especially those who have enjoyed spending their days working alongside their pet. Going back to the pre-pandemic way of leaving pets behind all day does not settle well. “I get it,” says Gayle Martz, author, entrepreneur, and pet travel advocate. If you’ve ever taken a pet with you on a plane, then you have Martz to thank. Martz invented the iconic SHERPA bag — creating the soft-sided pet carrier category —all because of her not wanting to leave behind her beloved Lhasa Apso, SHERPA, when she traveled. Now, Martz continues to advocate for a world that responsibly welcomes pets wherever their humans go. Martz was responsible for American Airlines changing its policy in 1992 to allow pets to travel in the passenger cabin and is eager to help change workplace policy to allow pets at the office. Read more

Why Volunteer: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

One thing entrepreneurs quickly learn about Gayle Martz while reading her new book, “IT’S IN THE BAG: How to Turn a Passion into a New Business” is that Martz is not only a successful entrepreneur, writer, and pet-travel pioneer and advocate, but she is also an avid volunteer. For every success Martz has had, she makes sure to give back. She doesn’t just donate money; she also shows up, giving her time. From volunteering with stray animals to helping other entrepreneurs on their journey to success, Martz’s story is rife with a spirit of giving. One of Martz’s favorite quotes is, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Wise words, and research can prove it! Read on to find out why volunteering is so beneficial and how to get started today! Read more

IT’s IN THE BAG – Now available on Amazon!

Hello Dear Reader,

“IT’s IN THE BAG” is now available on Amazon: eBook, physical copy, audiobook.

It’s in the Bag is more than the life story of Gayle Martz, the founder of the SHERPA pet carrier brand that has revolutionized pet travel. It is a dramatic illustration of what one SuperHERO woman can do to change an industry and build a major brand, as Gayle did through sheer grit and lots of puppy love!

—Wendy Diamond, Founder/Chief Pet Officer Animal Fair Media, Inc/ Founder LDP Ventures/CEO/Founder Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO)

A dead Fiance, no place to call home and furloughed from her career as a flight attendant–all happening at the same time– would have derailed a lesser person. Having been close friends with Gayle for the past 45 years I have enjoyed a front row seat on her talents and work ethic. Thus, I am not at all surprised Gayle Martz has let nothing stop her. She also did it with great style, as her fashion sense is extraordinary, personally and professionally. Gayle’s unique recipe for success is in this page-turning inspirational memoir. I highly recommend it to everyone– aspiring entrepreneurs and animal lovers alike! Read more

Getting Prepared to Travel with your Pet

Preparing for the Journey

Before taking off on a travel adventure with your pet, you have some preparations to complete. Preparing for the Journey will let you de-stress and focus on the fun of traveling with your pet by helping you collect and organize all of your pet’s necessities which includes your paperwork, food and medications to carriers, beds, and toys – ahead of time.

What to do if Your Pet Gets Lost or Sick

Loss Prevention

Pets live blessedly in the present, and their unbridled excitement over what is happening here and now is part of what endears them to us. The flip side of all this enthusiasm is that they don’t stop to weigh the pros and cons of a potentially dangerous situation before chasing a squirrel into the street of dashing out of a motel room door. So for safety’s sake, it’s up to us, as caring “parents,” to keep a sharp eye on our inquisitive charges at all times.

It is never a good idea to leave your pet unattended, whether tethered to a parking meter outside a store or alone in a car because unattended pets are often stolen. If you absolutely must stop at a store or a restaurant that doesn’t permit pets, park in the shade, crack the windows, and keep watch over them from the store windows. If you can’t order carry-out food, ask for a table near a window and door where you can tend to your car and your pet.

If you take your pet on a boat ride, she should be kept in a carrier that is fastened to a stationary support or she should be in a harness, tethered a safe distance from the edge of the deck to ensure that she does not fall overboard or run onto the dock and get lost. Always use a pet floatation vest; these life savers have a handle so that if your pet does fall overboard, you can easily pull them back into the boat.

It bears repeating that pets should always wear collars and ID tags (fastening tags to halter is more secure), but a microchip ID is the preferred form of identification. And remember to always carry a recent of your pet in your purse or billfold to help describe her if needed. Read more

Flying With a Dog or a Cat – Tips

Flying With a Dog or a Cat: Domestic Travel

Anyone who plans to travel while flying with dogs to another state with her pet needs to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). This official document is a health Certificate signed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. It guarantees that the pet shows no signs of communicable disease and gives a date that the inspection (examination) took place. This document should include rabies vaccination information with the date the rabies shot was given. Rabies vaccination documentation is required by all states for dogs and by most states for cats. I recommend you contact the particular state’s agricultural or veterinary department directly for updated information before you travel. In addition to your CVI certificate, for travel within the United States, your pet needs to have a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within ten days of departure stating that your pet is fit to travel. The health certificate and your pet’s vaccination certificates should be attached to the kennel. Always carry extra copies on your person, in case you are asked to produce them. If your pet is tranquilized before travel, your veterinarian must supply the name of the drug, the dosage, and how the drug was administered. This information should be included with the pet’s health certificate and other veterinary paperwork, and a copy of this information should also be attached to the kennel.

There are a wide variety of airlines now that accept pets, always be sure to call the airlines and ask about their pet policies before you purchase a ticket. While small dogs and cats are generally allowed in the cabin, large dogs are often required to be checked as baggage. Baggage holds can become hazardous if pets are exposed to extreme heat or cold for extended periods because they miss flights or planes are delayed. There is no way for owners to assist baggage-checked pets during flight. For this reason, the United States government recently required better training in pet handling for airline employees, and airlines must now notify the Department of Transportation about incidents involving animals.

Flying With a Dog or a Cat: International Travel

Before flying with dogs to another country, always contact that country’s consulate or embassy for information concerning their requirements. Every country has specific health requirements for the entry of animals and most countries, including those of the European Union, have a veterinary certificate specific to their country. If foreign countries do not have written policies specifically addressing your species of pet, I strong advise that you obtain something in writing from both the country’s embassy and your chosen airline carrier to avoid potential problems. Read more

My Dog/Cat Gets Car Sick

I have been very fortunate. SHERPA, SuNae, KIMBA, KARTU, and KoKo never suffered from motion sickness. But many people do have to deal with this problem. I’ve had many people ask me “my dog gets car sick what can I do?”. Fortunately, motion sickness is something that most puppies outgrow. If you want to include your puppy or other pet in your active lifestyle, don’t let your pet’s tendency to become sick stop you from taking him or her in the car.

Part of an animal’s inclination toward motion sickness stems from the stress or anxiety of riding in a car. Try to create positive experiences for your pet that she will associate with the car. Why not try a trip to the new park for a game of Frisbee or catch? A ride to a pet bakery? A trip to a favorite friend? Maybe your pet enjoys riding through the car wash with you. SHERPA used to love it when I sang in the car and she would chime right in. Cats that don’t travel very often can moan and wail all the way there and back. That’s unpleasant for both of you; So, I advise you, if you have a kitten, to start car training now, and he may soon take it to. Be sure to keep your cat in a carrier while traveling and invest in squirm-proof halter and leash so that you can exercise him during long-distance trips.

Warning signs and treatments

Keep an eye on your pet. Usually the first signs of motion sickness are yawning or drooling. The good news is that a lot of the same things that help people overcome motion sickness also work for pets. If you stop the car and take your dog or cat out for a walk when you notice warning signs, you can often prevent sickness, at least for a while. Cracking a window to increase ventilation in the back seat can help these pets and small, crate bound pets too. Sometimes the churning juices in an empty stomach can make matters worse. If you see the warning signs, offer your pet an unsalted cracker or piece of plain bread. Other bland, calming foods you can offer any pet suffering from nausea or diarrhea include a little plain, boiled hamburger, rice, oatmeal, or the appropriate type of baby food for your pet species. Calm your pet by talking to them. Read more

Emotional Support Animal – Ridiculous

The Extreme lengths that people have taken emotional support animals is ridiculous. What separates emotional support animals? To legally be considered an emotional support dog, the pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness. Although this sounds reasonable, problems arise with just how easy it is to get your current animal to be approved as an emotional support animal. They are not service dogs, no training or specialization is required. One place where this really manifests is on airplanes, where specific policies were put into place to both allow pet owners to safely travel with their animal while still protecting other passengers on board the aircraft. One of the prime reasons for the surge in popularity of emotional support animals on planes are you don’t have to pay the airline fee for brings a pet aboard. Read more